On a warm morning on Saturday, September 14, dozens of Columbia County residents took over public greenspace between the Portland & Western (P&W) railroad and Highway 30 in St. Helens, Oregon with colorful signs opposing dangerous oil trains through their communities. Protesters were met with friendly honks and waves from passersby who may also share their concern about the safety of oil trains or frustration that an oil terminal was approved without any public hearing first.
Currently, between three and four oil trains per week move through North Portland and Columbia County to the Global Partners oil terminal at Port Westward on the Columbia River. The trains carry the same volatile crude oil that has caused damage and death in oil train derailments and explosions in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, Casselton, North Dakota, Lynchburg, Virginia, and several other communities. In Columbia County, the trains bisect each town between Scappoose and Rainier, threatening the health and safety of people in nearby residences, schools, and businesses. Additionally, the oil trains cross over and threaten spills in many small creeks and sloughs, and they travel very close to the Columbia River.
On August 19, 2014 Global Partners received an air pollution permit approve from DEQ to expand their operations and accept up to 50 unit trains of oil monthly (100 round trip). Palpable frustration with DEQ informed a pre-march discussion in St. Helens, where Riverkeeper’s Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky explained the status of the project and ongoing efforts to prevent expansion of the facility. Jasmine answered questions from several newcomers, helping them understand the scope and severity of the oil train problem through Columbia County. The group enjoyed the walk and resolved to push both local and state agencies to reject any steps towards further expansion of Global Partners’ terminal and the number of dangerous oil trains it receives.
